A Whim or a Prayer….?
Go fund me or seek God in prayer?
There is an increasing trend today in churches for individuals to run their own ministry campaign. Its usually involved in a ministry that has no connection to the local church or the vision of that church in fulfilling God’s vision it has been called to do.
I am always getting envelopes addressed to me with a ‘personal’ letter seeking my financial support to a variety of ministries seeking my support. God has called me to Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour and it is there that my financial support remains.
With the onset of social media now an individual sets up a self-funding program such as ‘go fund me’ and sets out on their personal quest often to the detriment of the local church.
I am reminded of the amazing man George Mueller who told his father that he had decided to become a missionary, his father became very upset. He wanted George to have a high-paying job and not be a poor missionary. He told George that he would not give him any more money for school. George knew he had to do what God was calling him to do, even if his dad didn’t support him.
An Hour after He Prayed, the Answer Came
George went back to college without knowing how he was going to pay his tuition. He did something he thought was a bit silly for a grown man to do. He got on his knees and asked God to provide. To his surprise, an hour later a professor knocked on his door. He offered George a paid tutoring job! George was amazed! This was the beginning of George Mueller’s dependence on God.
Among the greatest monuments of what can be accomplished through simple faith in God are the great orphanages covering thirteen acres of ground on Ashley Downs, Bristol, England. When God put it into the heart of George Muller to build these orphanages, he had only two shillings (50 cents) in his pocket. Without making his wants known to any man, but to God alone, over a million, four hundred thousand pounds ($7,000,000) were sent to him for the building and maintaining of these orphan homes.
Pastor Chuck taught us a great truth when he said, “When God guides God provides.” Could the new trend of seeking self-funding be the reason that there is a lot of activity by people but little or no spiritual fruit? Maybe we are seeing a new form of ‘ministry’ by the name of Christian Backpackers Ltd. I pray that you will be a wise steward of the resources God has given you.
Psa 127:1 Unless the LORD builds the house,They labour in vain who build it;
I continue to pray for the local churches labouring in each of the local communities – those that remain in the area for the duration, through the difficult times, sowing in the fields that God has planted them to provide an ongoing place where the Word of God is taught and grace can be found.
How wonderful it was when the youth of CCSH individually worked hard and saved to pay for their own expenses for the mission trip to Samoa – this is the example that should be followed.
We need more George Mueller’s and less “Go Fund Me’s!”